Nate Herbig Out for Extended Time with Shoulder Injury, Zach Frazier Will Be Week 1 Starter

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers center Nate Herbig has a significant shoulder injury that will keep him out for an extended period of time, according to a report by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With Herbig sidelined, rookie Zach Frazier becomes the starter and will be the Week 1 starter against the Falcons on Sept. 8 in Atlanta.

Herbig, who was the starting center to opening training camp and in the first preseason game, suffered the shoulder injury at Wednesday’s practice, the final day at St. Vincent College.

Herbig did not have an impressive outing against the Houston Texans in the first preseason game. He had two fumbled snap exchanges with quarterback Justin Fields, and was eventually benched for Frazier. From the get-go, Frazier was impressive. On his first snap, he exploded out of his stance and moved defenders.

Fields took responsibility for the fumbled snaps with Herbig, saying he needs to make sure they’re on the same page. Mike Tomlin said poor snaps are a dual responsibility on the center and the quarterback. Regardless, Herbig had a poor game against Houston. Herbig is more of a guard than center. He has only played 48 snaps at center in his NFL career, and that was evident in the first preseason game.

Pittsburgh Steelers center Nate Herbig in practice on Aug. 8, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Steelers signed Herbig as an unrestricted free agent on March 16, 2023, after his contract with the New York Jets expired. In 2023, Herbig played in all 17 games but only logged two starts. In his 156 offensive snaps for the Steelers, Herbig allowed one sack.

In total, Herbig has spent five seasons playing for three different teams. He has played 61 career games with 30 starts. Herbig has started 25 at right guard and five at five at left guard.

Zach Frazier received first-team reps at practice prior to Herbig’s injury, so the plan was probably to start Frazier regardless.

In 2023, Frazier played at an extremely high level at West Virginia. In 12 starts, Frazier played 806 offensive snaps and did not allow a single sack. In their opening game against Pitt, Frazier was credited with a season-high 14 knockdowns.

Following the season, the committees named Frazier to the watchlist of many awards including being a William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist, a Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist and a Jason Witten Man of the Year Semifinalist. Additionally, he earned All-American honors for the second time of collegiate career.

STEELERS INJURY REPORT